[Food and food additives hypersensitivity in adult asthmatics. III. Adverse reaction to sulfites in adult asthmatics].

OBJECTS: Many studies show that sulfites cause multiple atopic manifestations by oral challenge in USA and Europe, however, there are few reports of sulfites sensitivity in Japan. The aim of this study establishes the presence of sulfites hypersensitivities in asthmatic subjects in Japan.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twenty adult asthmatic patients, who were non-steroid-dependent and without a suggestive history of sulfite sensitivity, underwent challenge with oral solution of metabisulfite.

RESULT: Of 12 patients reacted to metabisulfite. They demonstrated airway obstruction 5 (41.7%), urticaria 4 (36.7%), skin manifestation 2 (16.7%) and nasal congestion 1 (8.3%). All patients who demonstrated airway obstruction, were sensitive to aspirin.

CONCLUSION: Oral sulfite challenge should be made in patients with urticaria, that are not able to find out causative antigen, even though no suggestive history of sulfite sensitivity.